CLEAR Coalition Kicks Off Fight for Fairness and Awareness

On May 24 the CLEAR Coalition held a press conference at the Capitol Media Center to advocate a sustainable budget approach that includes enhancing revenues, making taxes fairer, preventing harmful cuts to essential public services and saving jobs. The group also announced support for House Bill 2435 which will ensure that big oil, big tobacco, and big corporations pay their fair share in taxes.

CLEAR Coalition press conference panel:  (L-R) Wendell Young IV Pres. UFCW Local 1776; Frank Snyder Sec./Treas. elect PA AFL-CIO; C13 Exec. Dir. David R. Fillman; Steve Hicks Pres. APSCUF; Kathy Jellison Pres. SEIU Local 668; Jerry Oleksiak, Treas. PA State Education Assoc.; Eileen Connelly Exec. Dir. SEIU State Council; Rick Bloomingdale Pres. elect PA AFL-CIO.

C13 Exec. Dir. Fillman took a question from the press regarding upcoming state contract negotiations and the pension crisis.  "The issue right now is the budget.  We must get through this budget first."  he said.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pres. elect PA AFL-CIO Rick Bloomingdale (at podium) called for the need to educate the general public about what public service workers do. "State government provides resources to thousands of small businesses so they can expand," he said.  "The state provides funding and services for roads, buildings, police cars, school lunches, food for nursing homes...you can't cut these services without consequences."

"Imagine calling 9-1-1 and having to wait," added Kathy Jellison Pres. SEIU Local 668.  "it's time for big oil, big tobacco and big corporations to pay their fair share in taxes like the rest of us."